Mold-ramming machine



JUIYIZ, l929 s. c. Buss 'I 1,719,529

MOLD RAMMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet l l l 1 I l IML/enfer',

July 2, 1929.

BLISS MOLD RAMMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 14, 1924 July 2, 1929.

S. C. BLISS MOLD RAMMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 2, 1929. s. c. Buss I MOLD RAMMING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 14, 1924 July 2, 1929. 5 Q Buss 1.719.529

MOLD RAMMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 B Sheets-Sheet 5 @Wig July 2, 1929. s. Q Buss 1.719.529

MOLD RAMMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 l 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 HEAD EUTKAL Elise- July 2, 1929. s. c. BLISS MOLD RAMMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Tnrewh JM mi@ REVERSE July 2, 1929. s. c. Buss MOLD RAMMING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 In Ye-n Tal? WLM/w; ad@

Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,719,52? PATET OFFICE.

SHERWOOD C. BLISS, OF KENMORE, NEVI YORK, ASSIGNOR TO A1\IEE.I(`JA1\1` RADIATOR COMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MOLD-RAMMIN-G IvIACHINE.

Application led April 14,

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in mold-ramming machines, and has for its primary object t0 provide an 1mproved and highly efficient machine for properly ramming molding sand, or equivalent material, in a flask or mold, so that such material will properly conform to any desired pattern or form which may be employed to determine the shape or configuration of the product to be made or cast in the mold.

A further object is to provide an improved, eficient and simplified means for propelling the ramming machine embodying my invention relative to the iiask or mold upon which l the ramming operation is to be performed.

A further object is to provide an improved and simplified means for automatically controlling the travel of the ramming machine relative to a flask or mold.

A further object is to provide simple and eiicient means for reversing the travel of the ramming machine should the same encounter an unintentional obstruction during the travel of the machine.

A further object is to provide a rai'nming machine which will have eflicient means for distributing the sand in the mold so that the same will be properly distributed when acted upon by the ramming means.

lfVhile I have stated above certain objects which the invention seeks to accomplish, other objects and advantages of the machine will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter given.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts and mechanism, to be more fully described hereinafter, and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed ont and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of this specification,- I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my present invention, and in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention, certain of the parts being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, certain of the parts being broken away, and others being in section, the machine being shown in its starting position;

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the struc-ture shown in Figs. 1 and 2, certain of the parts being in partial section, and parts of the safety stop and motor control mecha- 1924. erial No. 706,270.

nisms, which constitute parts of the invention, being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a` section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, parts of the safety stop and motor control mechanisms being omitted;

' Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bu'erplate forming one of the elements of a safety stop mechanism, and parts of the ramming mechanism, being omitted;

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation showing a mechanism for controlling the travel of the ramming machine, and showing the parts in the position assumed at the moment the direction of travel of the ramming machine is reversed during normal operation;

Fig. 7 is a detail view in side elevation of the controlling mechanism shown in Fig. 6, and showing the parts in the position assumed thereby when in normal position and the ramming machine is travelling forward to pass over a mold to be rammed;

Fig. 8 is a detail view in side elevation of the safety control means shown in Fig. 6, but showing the parts in the position assumed when the direction of travel of the ramming machine is reversed because of the buerplate on the safety stop mechanism meeting with an obstruction.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of certain elements of the controlling mechanism shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a structure, including means for distributing the sand in a mold, and also for preventing the sand being thrown therefrom while the ramming operation is in progress;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective View o certain elements of the sand-distributing means illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail view'of a portion of the stop mechanism for arresting travel of the carriage at the end of a reciprocation, and

Fig. 13 is a detail view of one of the ramming elements showing the same in another position of adjustment.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 2, by characters of reference, A designates a pattern support of any suitable type, and which is adapted to support upon its upper portion a pattern (not shown) and a mold or flask Badapted to receive molding sand, or its equivalent, which is adapted to conform to the pattern. These elements may be of any suitable or well-known construction, and ini asmuch as the same are not of my present invention, it is not believed necessary to show or describe the same in greater detail.

1, 1 designate longitudinal members of a suitable trackway adapted to support a carriage upon which the ramming element or elements are mounted,.and along which trackway said carriage is adapted to travel in order to cause the ramming means to traverse a mold containing molding sand which is to be rammed to conform to a pattern. The members 1, 1, composing this trackway, may take a number of forms within the spirit of this invention, but are preferably in the form of channel-irons or beams supported rigidly, in any suitable manner, on overhead girders 1, with central or-intermediate webs 2 of said channel-irons in parallel vertical planes, and with their lateral or edge ianges 3 preferably directed outward, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. rEhe inner lower edges of the members 1, 1 are provided with longitudinally extending angle-irons 4 having a vertical flange 5 riveted to the web 2, and also having a horizontal flange 6 serving as a support for longitudinally extending track rails 7, which are preferably in the form of T-rails, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5. These rails 7 are rigidly secured to flanges 6, in any suitable manner (not shown), extend parallel to each other, and constitute a bed or support for the hangers of a carriage, which will now be described.

The rammer carriage preferably comprises an upper frame member which, in general, is rectangular in plan view (see Fig. 1), including longitudinally extending side mem- -bers 8,Y 8, which are connected, braced and stiifened by transverse end members 9, 9, and web members 10 alined in'a horizontal plane. It will be noted that the construction just described provides a horizontally disposed rectangular frame having` a central opening 11, which serves a purpose to be presently described. This frame member is preferably, but not necessarily, cast in an integral structure.

At its opposite ends, and at each side thereof, the frame member just described is provided with an upwardly extending hanger or bracket 12, which is rigidly secured by bolts 13, or other means, to the transverse end member 9 of the frame. Each of these brackets includes an upwardly extending arm 12a provided at its upper end with an apertured boss 14, in which is suitably ixed a bearing pin or journal 15. The bearing pin 15 in each instance projects outward over the adjacent track rail 7 and carries a bearing or running roller 16 adapted to rest and travel on the tread of said track rail. rFliese brackets or hangers, and running rollers, just described, support or suspend the rammer carriage from the trackway, and permit it to travel along the same. In order to provide for smooth travel of the carriage on its trackway, each of the brackets 12 is provided with an arm 17 carrying a boss 18, in which is secured a vertically extending bearing pin 19, upon which is journalled a guiding and holding roller 2O arranged to travel on the inner side face of the adjacent track rail, and thus serve to hold the rollers 16 in proper running engagement with the trackway during the traversing movement of the carriage. Rigidly connected to the corner portion of the upper frame member heretofore described, are depending vertical corner members 21, which are connected at their upper ends by means of suitable boltsi22 to said carriage frame member, said members 21 preferably, but not necessarily, consisting of angle-irons arranged with their flanges 21a at right angles to each other. The corner members 21 are connected at their lower side portions by upper and lower parallel bracing members 22, 23, respectively, which are connected to the side ianges of the members 21 by means of angle brackets 24 and suitable bolts` or rivets 25. The frame members may also be braced by means of cross members 2G having their ends bolted, respectively, as at 27, to the side danges of the members 21. The

frame members 21 are braced transversely' relative to each other by certain elements to be described hereinafter.

I will now proceed to describe a ramming means carried by the carriage above described.

On tine forward lower portion of the side members 8, 8 of the carriage frame are provided alining bearing-boxes 28, in which is arranged a horizontal crank-shaft 29 extending transversely of the carriage, and provided with an inner pair of cranks 30 extending in the same ldirection from the crankshaft center, and outer cranks 31 arranged between the cranks 30 and the boxes 28 and extending in opposite directions to the said cranks 30, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The central portion of the crank-shaft 29, between the said inner cranks 30, is jeurnallcd in suitable bearing-boxes 32 supported rigidly, in any suitable manner, from the lower portion of the carriage frame member. Upon each of the cranks 30, 31 arranged a bearing-box 33, of any suitable construction, and from each of which is suspended a depending connecting rod 34, in the present embodiment there being four of such rods, as will be apparent upon reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings. The lower ends of the inner pair of connectingr rods 34 are apertured, at 35, to receive and support the outer ends of a cross shaft 36, from which is suspende-:l a rainning element or elements a-:lapted to be vertically reciprocated when the shaft 29 is rotated, as will be hereinafter described. The lower ends of the outer pair of depending rods 34 are each fixed, as at 37,

to a hearing-pin 38, guided in apertures 39 in ears 4() on the outer ends o t' reach or spacing bars 4l, the opposite ends of which are apertured and pivoted. as at 4l between adjustable collars 41D, adapted to be iXed by screws 41" on a transverse shaft or rod 42, supported rigidly by the rear frame members 21, in any suitable manner. The shaft 3G is likewise connected by means ol' spacing or distance rods 43 to said shaft 42. whereby the vertical movement of the lower ends of the said rods 84 is controlled to take a definite path.

I will now proceed to describe the ramming clement adapted to be operated by the reciprocations of the rods 34. reference being particularly had to Figs. 8 and 4 of the drawings:

In the present embodiment. I have shown two ramming elements suspended from the shaft 36 to be operated by the inner pair of rods 34, although it will be understood that one, or more than two elements might be employed, according to the desired capacity of the machine, and one of said elements operated by each of the outer rods 34. In the preferred form, each of these. i'amming elements comprises a hanger 44 receiving the shaft 36, or the pin 38, as the caso may be, and provided with a hollow sleeve or c vlinder 45, in which is slidably arranged a shank or plunger bar 46 carrying on its lower end a tlanfre'member 47 provided with a suitable ramrning foot 48, of any suitable configuration. and which is adapted to engage the sand. The plunger bar 4G is preferably tubular, as at 49, and receives a compression spring 50 abutting the upper end of the sleeve member 45 and thc upper end of the ramming` foot to cushion the latter, and also urge it outward toward ramming position. The outward movement of the rannning foot, under influence of the spring 50, is limited b v stud bolts 51 threaded into the ramming foot, as at 52, and extending through openings in ears 54 on the sleeve member 45. the upper ends of said bolts being provided on the npper sides of said ears with nuts 55. and cooperating with said ears to limit movement of the foot outward. but permit inward movement against the spring 50. If desired, cushion blocks or washers 56 of rubber. or other suitable material. may be arrangyjed 'netween the nuts and the ears 54.

I will now describe a preferred means for guiding the lower ends ofthe connecting rods during reeiproeation. so as to assure the ramming foot operating in proper aliaement: The Carriage with the rammers adapted to be propelled. by means to be presently described, to pass with continuous movement across the face of the lnold. and during this movement the. rannners are continuously reciprocated vertically, by means to be presently described. It will be seen that if the rammers are continuously operated during the. period ot' travel of the carriage, there will be times during which one or the other pair of rammers will be in its lower position in contact with the molding sand, which would mean that the carriage would drag the iowermost rammers through the sand, thereby disturbing and pushing` the sand ahead of it. In order to prevent this result, I employ means whereby the rammel' feet, in lower position and in contact with the sand, will not be moved forward with the carriage, but will leave the sand by substantially vertical movement from the lowermost point reached in ramming the sand. The result stated is accomplished by providing improved means whereby during the travel of the carriage the rammer feet, when driven downward to ram the sand, will be permitted to remain in initial place 0f contact until the connecting rod 34 operates to lift the feet from the sand. This means (see Figs. 2 and 4) comprises pairs ot extensibleyieldinglinks,each ofwhich is preferably in the form of a rod 57 having one end pivoted, as at 58, to the element 45, tie opposite end portion of each of said rods heilig slidably arranged in guide openings in bosses 59 on a swinging bracket 60, having one end pivoted, as at 60a, on a transverse rod 6l rigidly mounted on the carriage frame. for example. by shackles 62. Rigi d with each rod 57 between the bosses 59 is a stop-collar 63, on opposite sides of which, and between the same and said bosses, are arranged coiled springs 64, 65, respectively. rllhe arrangement and construction is such that when the carriage is travelling forward, for example. toward the leftof Figs. 2 and 4, and one of the pairs of rammer feet is in Contact with the sand. such pair will not be moved forward with the carriage while in such contact. but will momentarily remain stationai' the lower end of the connecting rod 34 swinging forward on the shaft Siti. or the pin Sti. as the case may be, and the rod 57 sliding rearward through the bosses 59 and compressing the spring 65. As soon as the cranks 30 or Ill have moved far enough to lift the rainmer foot clear of the sand, the, spring will expand and throw the foot forward into position to be moved downward again to ram the sand. It will be seen that the extensible links 57 described, provide the necessary relative movementhetween the carriage and the rammers. which will permit the latter to remain stationary in Contact with the sand until the cranks li t't the rammers in a substantially vertical direction out of the sand. lVhen the carriage travels rear Yard, that is. toward the right of Fig. 2. the carriage pulls the bosses 59 against the spring 64. compressing the same against the collar 63. the raminer foot. remaining stationary in Contact. with the sand. then the crank lifts the foot. the spring (S4 exerts its force against the collar G3 to pull the foot into position to again be moved downward by the crank, the operation being the reverse of that described as taking place when the carriage is travelling forward.

I will now describe a novel means for propelling' the carriage across the face of a mold in order that the ramming means will ram the sand, and for controlling such propulsion: This means comprises a, flexible element, preferably in the form of a cable (36, one end of which is suitably anchored at a point otl' the carriage, for example, to a transverse member 67 supported by the trackway structure 1. The connection or anchorage for the cable is afforded, preferably. by providing one of the ends of the cable with a socket coupling` piece 68 which is pivotally connected, at (i9. to a rod 70, slidably extending` through an opening in the member (i7, and through a guide opening in an angle-bracket 71 rigidly supported on the member G7. The outer end of the rod extends beyond the member 67, and is provided with a stop-washer 72, adjustably held in position by nuts 72% threaded onto the end of said rod, and between said washer and the member G7 is arranged a cushion block 74, for example, of rubber, to resiliently resist pull on the cable (36.

The opposite end of the cable from that just described, is also connected or anchored to a point off the carriage and to the opposite end thereof from the anchorage heretofore described. The anchorage for this latter end of the cable may also consist of a socket coupling member 75. pinned, as at 76, to a rod 77 extending` through an opening in a transverse member 78 supported by the track meinbers 1. 1n this case the rod slidably extends through an opening in the member 78 and a bracket 79, and is provided at its outer end with a stop-washer 80. adiustably held in position by nuts 81 threaded onto said rod. In this case I may also employ a cushion member between the stop-collar or washer and the member 78, for example` an expansion spring- 82. The intern'lediate portion of the cable 6G is looped or wound about a drum 83 having a spiral groove thereon to receive and guide said able, the latter being connected to the drum by a suitable anchorage block Rt overlyinga turn of the cable and bolted to the drum. a shown. the arrangement of the cable being such that the opposite end portions thereof pass from the upper portion of the drum and in oppiste directions from each other toward the ends of the trackway. as will be apparent from 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings. The drum is driven by any suitable means. but l preferably provide a reversible electric motor S5, of any suitable type. which is suspended by hanger brackets 8G, bolted, as at 87. to the underside of the upper frame member of the arriage (flee Fig. The armature sha ft 88 of the motor provided with a driving pinion 89. which meshes with a gear 90 fixed on a shaft 91 mounted in suitable bearing` hangers 92, shown in dotted li in Fig. t, also supported from the underside of the top frame member. The shaft 91 has fixed thereto a pinion 923 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1), which meshes with a gear 9-1 fixed to a shaft 95 mounted in suitable boxes 9U on the carriage frame, and which shaft 95 carries a fixed pinion 97 meshing with a gear 9o on the shaft 83 of the drum 83. By the ai rangement just described. the drum 83 may be driven in either direction, according to the direction of rotation of the reversible motor. Vfhen the motor is turned in one direction, it will drive the drum to take up one end portion of the cable (36, for example, that extending to the left of Fig. 1, and will pay out the other end portion of the cable which extends to the right of Fig. 1, thus serving to drive the carriage forward, or toward the left ot' F' 1. lWhen the drum is driven in the opposite direction, it takes up the end portion of the cable (5G to the right of Fig. 1, and pays ou' that portion of the cable extending to the left of Fig. 1. thereby driving the carriage toward the right of Fig. 1. r[he motor heretofore described, also serves as the drivingy` means for the raminer-operating shaft 29, this being accomplished by providing a gear 99 on that portion of the shaft 29 which is located between the bearing-boxes 32, as shown in Fig. 3. which gear 99 is arranged in mesh with the forward portion of the gear 90 heretofore described. 1t will thus be seen that when the motor is operated to take up and pay out the cable 6G to propel or reciprocate the carriage. that the rammers will also be reciproeated to perform the ramn'ling operation on the mold. the propulsion of the carriage and the driving of the rammers taking place simultaneously.

1 will now describeI the control means for controlling the propulsion of the carriage and the driving of the ramm ing means: This control means preferably consists of a circuitcontroller 100, which may be, and preferably is. of any suitable commercial type which is capable of controlling the current to the motor 85 to drive the latter in either direction, and also which will have a neutral position at which the armature ofthe motor willbe atrcst, the current tothe motor being cut off. The controller 100 is preferably mounted on a bracket 101, supported on the front portion of the upper carriage member, said controller including a shaft 102 which carries contacts (not shown) cooperating with fixed contacts within the controller casing for effecting the method of control just mentioned. The cas` ing of the controller is connected by a conduit 103 with a conduit box 104. to which leads an inlet conduit containing the inlet leads 106 from a suitable source of current. and which pass through the conduit 105, conduit box 104 and conduit 103 to the controller.

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The outlet leads from the controller pass through the conduit 10S, the conduit box 10:1 and an outlet conduit 107 to the motor, entering the same through a suitable inlet opening 108, in the motor using. For the sake of clearness, the circuit leads to the motor have been omitted, but the arrangement will be perfectly clear from the above description taken in connection with the drawings.

Upon the shaft 102 of the controller is fixed a gez r segment 109, with which meshes a gear segment 110 tiXed to a shaft 111 which has bearing in brackets 1.12, bolted, at 11.3, on the upper side of the upper frame member of the carriage. Also mounted upon the shaft 111 is a rocker-arm 1111` to which is pivotally connected, as at 115, the upper end of a connecting rod 11G, the lower end of which is pivotally connected. as at 117, to a rocker-arm 118, which is fixed to an operating shaft 119, which is: mounted to rock in bearing ears 120 on the upper ends of bracketmembers 121, the latter being rigidly bolted, as at 122, to the forward side members 21 of the carriage frame. The shaft 119 is provided, preferably on ach of its ends, with a suitable operating lever 1223, by means of which said sha ft may be rocked to throw the segment 11() to thereby operate the controller shaft to either of the cireuit-controlling po sitions. that is, to nent-ral, or to drive the motor in either of the desired directions. 'lhe operating handle or lever 123 is shown in the neutral position in Fig. 2; in Fig. 7 in the position in which the motor is driven to cause the cable (SG to pull the carriage forward, and in Figs. t3 and t; in the position in which the controller is operated to cause the the motor to operate in the reverse direction to thereby reverse the pull on the cable and reverse the direction of travel of the carriage4 lt will be apparent that when it is desired to control the carriage manually, it is only necessary to move the controlling lever 123 to any one of the positions just described.

My invention. in its preferred embodiment, also contemplates a system ol' control whereby a controller, for example. the controller 101). may be operated manually to start the car gc from a` tixed position to cause the carriage to travel in one direction for a desired distance. and to thereupon have its direction of travel reversed and lie returned to the initial position and stopped. This means, in its preferred torni. compris i a novel nicchanism mounted on the tramway and with which mechanism on the carriage cooperates to etilect the sezpience of opei ations mentioned. For the purpose tated the shaft 111 is provided on one end portion 'ith a rocker-anni 1241 fixed to said shaft. and carrying on its outer ez'nl a contact roller 125. This roller, when the carriage is at its start ing point at one end ot'V the tracl-vis in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of vhe drawings, and

when the lever 123 is. moved by the operator from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 7, the controller is operated to throw the current onto the motor to drive the latter forward, and the shaft 111 rocked to elevate the arm 124 to bring the roller 125 to the position shown in Fig. 7. rfhe carriage then moves forward for thel desired distance until the roller 125 engages a fixed abutment 126 mounted on a bracket 127 bolted rigidly, as at 128. on one of the side members 1 of the trackway. (See Figs. 1 and When the roller 125 strikes the end of the stop-bar 126, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. (l, accompanied by the legend Ahead, the movement of the carriage causes the said roller and the arm 124 to be moved rearward and downward to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6 by the legend Neutral, under which condition current to the motor is eut olf, but the inertia or momentum of the carriage continues the travel thereof far enough until the roller 125 strikes an inclined contact face 129 which serves to move the roller 125 and the arm 121 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. G and in Fig. 8, in which the roller is beneath a horizontal surface 129, which movement rocks the shaft 111 to move the controller rotor to the position reversing the current to the motor to cause the latter to drive in the opposite direction, and thereby propel the carriage in the return or reverse direction and toward its starting point.

Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 111 is a rocker-arm 121() disposed at an angle to the arm 124. and carrying at its outer end a roller 131, which is adapted to cooperate with suitable means on the trackway to thereby operate the controller to neutral position to stop the carriage when it is returned to its initial or starting point. The means just mentioned for this purpose consists of a bar 132 (see Figs. 1. 2, o and 12), rigidly supported at. one end on a bracket 133, mounted and secured. as at 134, on one of the side members 1 of the trackway, said bar including a lower horizontal portion 135, an interi'nediate inclined portion 136 and an upper horizontal portion 137. the latter portion extending from the carriage starting point toVard the opposite end of the traekway. The opposite end of thc bar 132 is preferably supported rigidly by a bracket 133 connected to the trackway, as at 123". The bar portion 137 is provided with a one-way tappet 138 pivoted on a pin 139 let through any desired one ot a series of apertures 140 in the said bar portion 137. whereby the position of the tappet may be adjusted longitudinally of said bar. The tappct is provided with a depending engaging lug 111 and with a stop-lug 142` the later being so arranged that the tappet may s v'ing freely in the forward direction of the carri i travel, but the lug' 142 engages with the underside of the bar portion 137 to prelll() l Clt) vent swinging movement of the tappet in the rearward direction to thereby cause the tappet to assume a rigid position when said luf;l engages said bar, as shown in Fia'. 12. When the direction of travel ot the carriage is reversed, the arm 136 is swung to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 9, which position is maintained during the reverse travel ot the carriage until the roller 1211 engjales the lue' 111 on the tappet 138, at which instant the movement ot' the carriage causes said roller and the arm 130 to bc moved to a lower position where the roller clears the tace 136. and tinallfyv to take position under the horizontal portion 135, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. By this operation the controler shat't 192 is rocked to turn the controller rotor to neutral position to shut otl current to the motor, wherebyv the propulsioi'i :it the carriage and the drivirgl ot the rammers is stopped. lhen the motor is stopped, as just described, the carriage engages suitable cushion buders 143 fixed to the tracliway adjacent the end of the latter. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) Similar stops or abutments. indicat ed at 111. are arranged at the opposite end ol the tracliway. Each stop comprises a plunger head 115 (see Fig. slidablv disposed within a cylinder 146, said block bein r provided with au integral extension rod 11'# extending through the abutment, as at 1.48. suitable cushion members 149 being arrangl'ed between the rear of the block 1.45 and the end of the said chamber. lVhen the carriage is brought to the starting; point and is `stopped. -inst described. the operating' lever 123 will be brought automaticallyv to they neutral point. trom which it ma)v be again operated to canse the carriage to travel in the forward direction of its reciprocation.

l also contemplate the provision of means wherebyv the reversal of travel ot the carriage ma v be etliected autonulticallv when the car rian'e is on the forward mf'ivemcnt of its reciprocation and will be reversed. in the event the carriage should meet with an obstruction. for example. a workman. or truck. which mayv be accidentallv or inadvertentlv in the path ot travel. This means comprises a buffer-member adapted to strike the obstriu tion. aud through suitable mechanism nperzin to euect the shitting ot the controllfr 'llwit't 192 to control the travel of the carriaei'; which mechanism will now be described:

The brackets 121 on the toiwvard portion ot the carriaae are cach proviifled at its lower portion with a hearing-eve 159. iu whch is mounted a shatt 151 ar. inge-d parallel to tht.` shaft 119, heretofore described, and on the shaft 119 and said shaft 151 are arranged pairs of unner and lower levrs 152. 159. said levers being looselyv mounted ou upper and lower horizontal parallel rods 151. the ends of which are connected pivotallv, as at 155, to vertical distance or spacing members 156, whereb)v a parallel lever motion is provided. that is. the levers 152, 15? may fulerum or swing` on the shafts 119, 151, but said levers and the members 156 are at all times maintained in parallelism, as will be clear trom Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 ot the drawings. The bars 156 also serve as supports for a vertical butter-member 157, which may consist olv a plate connected by bolts 15S to the said members 156. It will be seen that should the butter-plate encounter an obstruction during the travel of the carriage, said plate will be moved toward the carriage trom the positions shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7 toward that shown in Fig. 8. Looselv mounted on the shaft 119 is a lever 159 to which is connected, as at 169. one end of a contractile spring 161, the opposite end of which is anchored b v an)v suitable means, as at 162. to a bracket 162L on one ot the trame members 21. This spring 161 is normallyv extended and tends to pull the lever 159 from the position shown in Fig. 7 toward that shown in Fin. tt, the spring being' restrained against, such action during the normal travel of the carriage b v a trip arrangen'ient which will now be described:

Pivotallv mounted, as at 16?), on the upper rod 154. is a Heating link 164 having in its :tree end a longitudinal slot 165 which receives a movable tulcrum pin 166 carried by the lower end et" a lever 167, the upper end of which is pivoted. as at 168. to the lower end ot a lever 169, the upper end ot which is tulcrumed. as at 179, on the trame member 21. The lever 169 is provided with an extension lue' 171 carrying an adjustable abutment screw 172 adapted to cooperate with a lugf 173 on the lever 167 to limit the swinring; movementv ot the levers 167 and 169 relative to each other in one direction. as will be obvious from Fig'. 7 ot' the drawings. The lever 167 is pivoted at an intermediate point, as at 174. on the lever 159. The lever 159 is {novi/.led on its hub mounted on the shatt 119 with an abutment tace 159fl extending' radiall)v from said shat't and adapted to cooperate with a radial abutment t'ace 159h on a stop-piece 159" carried by a hub 159, which is rigidly mounted ou the shaft to turn therewith, t'or a purpose to be preseutl)v described t The hub ot' each of the levers 152. 153 is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 175. the upper and lower ot said arnisibeine` each connected bxv a connectinel bar 176. llach ot" th 1 arms 175 on the upper shatt 119 is provided with a stop-member 177. haviuggi a torward abutment tace 17S eXtendingl ra diallv ot the said shafty 119 and adapted to engage with a cooperating' face 179 on an abutment 166 which fixed riggjidlvv7 to the said shaft 119 to rock therewith, the faces 179 on abutments 160 beineY in alinement with face 1591) on abutment 159.

When the carriage is travelling in the tora Ward direction, the elements con'iposing the manual control, and the safety reversing mechanism, are in the position illustrated in Fig. 7, at which time abutn'ient faces 159d and 178 take a position adjacent to but spaced from faces 159" and 179. respectively. a slight distance, as shown in this figure. The bufferplate is maintained in the position shown in Fig. 7 by the reaction of pin 166 in lever 16T against the end of slot 165 in link 161, which in turn acts against rod 151 and holds the buffer-plate 157 in its forward p i.sition. lVhen the reversal of the carriage takes place upon engagement of the roller 125 with the element 127, the red 116 is moved upward, thereby rotating the shaft 119 lo swirg the hand-lever 123 toward the right of Fi g. 7, but this movement does not alter the position of the safety stop device, the elements 159c and 180 merely turning with the shaft 11S so that the faces thereon are moved a further distance away from the surfaces 159ZL and 178 heretofore described, as shown in Fig. 6. It will also be seen that by the construction and arrangement just described, the, handle 1221 can be manually moved to any of its control positions without changing the positions of the safety stop elements. tf the parts are the position shown in Fig. 7, and au ointmetion is struck by the bu1fer-phite, the latter will be moved toward the frame, which will thrust the link 161 inward and cause the inner end of the slot 165 to engage the pin 166, thereby swinging the lever 167 on fulcrum 174 and moving the connection 168 outward, or to the left of Fig. 7, until the pivotal center of the connection 168 is moved bevond a straight line extending through the centers of the pivots 170 and 17st, whereupon the spring 161 will be free to contract. pulling the lever 159 upward and causing the lever symcm to be moved with a snap action'to the position shown in Fig. 8. This operation moves 'the lever 159 to the position sliown in Figli, thereby throwing l'ace 1.79"' into ena}'e:.ieut with the element 159". and at the same time the 'faces 178 come into engagement with the .faces 179, dueto weight of the butler-plaie, thereby' rotating the shaft 119 to throw the lever 123 to reverse position. as shown in Fig. 8. lVhen the levers 167 and 169 are thrown to the posi-- tion shown in Fig. 8, the luilloi'-plate 157 will be held in inward position, and the lever 1221 in the reverse position. lVhea the safety mechanism is to be reset. the levers 167 a nd 169 are manually flexed inward to the position shown in Fig. 7, the lever 1221 renuiining in reverse position until swungl manually to neutral or ahead position, or until the travel of the carriage has caused roller 15111 to contact with tappet 141 and stop the travel of the carriage.

A similar safety reversing arrangement is arranged upon the rear of the carriage. corresponding elements being marked with primed reference numerals similar to those used for the corresponding elements on the safety stop device previously described. rllhe operating lever 123 at this end of the carriage operates a lever arm 181, and through a connecting rod 182 to exert a pull on an arm 1825 fixed to the shaft 119, so that the latter shaft may be operated by the operatingr dcvice 123 to control the controller in the same manner as is effected by the lever 123. When the carriage is travelling in the reverse direction, and the buifer 157 is struck by an obstruction, the safety reversing mechanism at this end of the carriage operates rst to throw the controlling levers to the position to cause the carriage to travel in a reverse direction which corresponds to the forward direction. The carriage will then continue to travel in a forward direction until either the lever 128 is pulled manually to the neutral position, or else the roller 125 contacts with abutment 126 which would overcome the safety mechanism a nd reverse the direction of travel of the carriage; however, as soon as roller 12'5 has left abutment 126 on the rearward travel of the carriage, the safety stop would again reverse the carriage travel and cause the same action to take place.

'the construction and arrangement of the tappet 138 is such as to provide for overrun or c asting of the carriage after current is shut otl from the motor, and at the same time not to interfere with the operation of the safety reversing mechanism when the carriage has been started on its forward travel` in other words, so as to permit the buffer-plate to move the controller operating mechanism to the reverse position. as shown in Fig. 8.

At its forward portion the carriage is provided with a transverse leveller or striker member, preferably in the form of a plate 181, pivotallj.Y supported, as at 185, on a transverse bar member 186 tixed in the upper ends of brackets 187 carried by the forward ends of retainer-plates 188, to be described herein after. The plate 184 may, if desired, have a serrated or notched lower edge` as at 189. The ililate at its nds is provided with stop arms 19() ha ving' adjusting bolts 191 adapted to engage with stops 192. preferably integral Vwith said brackets 187. The arms 190 are so located. and the bolts so adjusted, that the plate 184 is inclined downward and rearward from its pivoty relative to the forward direc-- tion of travel of vthe carriage. During forward movement of the carriage, the plate 184, because of its pivotal mounting, may swinerl upward and ride freely over the sand in the, mold. but during the rearward movement of the carriage. said plate remains in its lowermost position, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6` and serves to level or strike the sand which has been annned Beyond the plate 184 is a sand-distributing and levelling member. preferably in the form of a rigid plate 193 located in advance of the rammers and eX- tending transversely of the carriage, said plate being supported at its ends preferably by integral brackets 194 rigidly connected by bolts 195 to the liront members 21 of the carriage. The bolts are preferably adjustably airanged in slots 196 in said member 21, in order that the plate 193 may be adjusted vertically to regulate its height with reference to the mold to be rau'imed. The plate 193 is tormed with oppositely and rearwardly inclined members 197, which are also inclined from their upper edge toward their 'forward lower edge, the arrangement being such that during the forward movement of the earriage. said plate acts as a plow or scraper to distribute the sand evenly from the center of the mold toward its side edges, and to bring the sand to the desired level and thickness to be properly rammed by the rammers.

In rear ot the rammers is arranged a transverse frame member 198, supported at its ends by angle-brackets 199 bolted to the said retaining members 188 heretofore mentioned; and supported on the member 198 are a plurality of' plows 290, there being preferably one ot said plows arranged behind each ot the ramming feet heretofore described. These plows consist, preferably, of rearwardly inclined plates 201, whereby said plows are V- shaped in plan view. The upper edges of the side members 201 are provided with lateral horizontal flanges 202 adapted to receive clamping bolts 203 passing through longitudinal slots 204 in the member 198, whereby the plows are secured to said member and are capable of adjustment longitudinally of the latter to bring them into proper position relative to the ramming feet. These plows 200 serve to level and distribute the sand after the rammer-s have passed over the same to perform a ramming operation, so that the sand will be in proper condition to be rammed again when the carriage makes the return movement of its reeiprocation.

The carriage is provided at its lower side portions with the sand retainer plates 188, heretofore mentioned, which are adapted to travel on or adjacent the side edges ot the flask to act as guards to prevent the sand being thrown outward by the action ofthe rammers and of the sand-levelling device described. Each ofthe said plates is arranged and mounted so as to yieldingly rest on the flask, and for this purpose is provided on its outer tace and at each end with a hanger 205, preferably consisting of an angle-iron, as shown in Figs. 4, 1() and 11 of the drawings. Secured to this angle-iron is an angle-bracket 206, one portion ofl which is arranged in a horizontal plane, at 207. provided with spaced apertures 208, 209. Below the angle piece 206. the plate 188 is provided with an outwardly projecting lug 210 having a guide aperture 211. The sand-retainer or guard plate is supported at each of its ends by a headed bolt 212 threaded in the said opening 2119 and passing through an opening 213 in the horizontal flange of the longitudinal frame member 22, the head of the bolt resting on the said member 22, and the lower end ot' the bolt carrying a` lock-nut 214 located beneath the bracket member 207. Passing through the openings 208 and 211 is a vertical guide pin 215, receiving at its upper end a cotter-pin 216 located above the member 22, and at its lower end receiving a cotterpin 21T located beneath the lug 210. the intermediate portion of said pin 215 passing through openings in the flange ot' the lower longitudinal frame member 23, as will be clear from Figs. 4, 6 and 10 of the drawings. l y this airangenient the plate 188 is guided in its vertical movement and is maintained in a substantially vertical plane by the said bolts 212 and pins 215. The forward lower edges otl the plates 188 are inclined upward, as at 188n. so that the said plates may ride up onto the side edges ot a flask, and the support afforded by the bolts 212 and pin 215 will permit said plate to adjust its level to that of the upper edge ot the mold. The plates 188, as shown, are adapted to cooperate with a mold ot' substantially the same width as the carriage. but, i" desired, they may be employed to support supplemental guard or retainerplates which may be supported on the inner faces of the` plates 188 by means of angle-brackets 219 bolted, or otherwise Secured. to the inner faces of the said plates 188. (Hee Figs. 3 and 1() of the drawings.) lVhen tbe supplemental inner plates are used. they may serve. if desired, as the supports for the member 198, as shown in Fig. 10. The supplemental plates 218 are adapted to cooperate with flasks narrower than those approximating the width of the carriage, as above stated with respect to the plates 188.

Provision is also made whereby the location ot' the outer pair of rammer feet may be adjusted for either narrow or wide molds. This is accomplished by making each of the crank-pins 81 long enough to provide for lateral adjustment of the bearing 33 thereon. so that the connecting rod 34 and the rammer supported thereby may be adjusted transversely of the machine. dien the connecting bar is adjusted to this innermost position on the crank. that is, for the ramming of a narrower mold, a split spacing collar 220 is arranged on the crank-pin between the outer face member of the crank and the bearing member, whereas when a broader mold is to be rammed, the bearing 33 is adjusted in the outer position, as shown in Fig. 3, and the collar 220 is placed between said bearing member and the inner face member of the crank. lt will be understood that in making th adjustments mentioned, the distance rod or member 41 is correspondingly adjusted lengthwise 111 1110 5112111 42 :11111 111311113111011 111 111111101' 111151111111 11),' 1110 0011111'5 41".

111111 I 01111111 111111 110511'0 111 500111'0 111' L01- 1015131110111 111'111011111101111111110515:im

1. 11111111--1'111111111110j 111110111110 151111111151104' 11111 0101111011 101101111111', 11 1'111'1'11111'0 11111\':11110 111111111' 1110 1111011111111'. 0111111111110; 1111111115 1111 1110 0111'1'11111'0, 110111101111111' 111011115 111111111011 111 1'01'111 1'111'1110 1110 01101111110, 111011115 11'11'011 1'1'11111 5:1111 111'11111'11111g111011115 1111' 0110011111111' 511.111 0111111111111; 111011115, 11 0111111111101' 1111 1110 1'111'1'111110 :11111 11111'- 11111' 1111'w111'11, 1101111'111 111111 001'01'50 011111111111110' 0110015 1111 511111 111111101111111' 111011115, :11111 111011115 1111 1110 0111'1111g1'0 111111 11110115111' 011111101111110 111 :101111110 1110 0111111111101' 111 0:11150 11111' 111 511111 01!- 10015.

Z1. A 1111111141111111111112 111110111110 011111110151111); 1111 010\'111011 10110101111', :1 0:11'1'11111'0 111111111110 111111111' 1110 1171101111111'. 1011111111111' 111011115 1111 1110 0111'1'111110, 111111111' 110111101111111; 111011115 1111' 000111- 1'110111'111g11100:11'1'111510,111011115111'11'011 1'1'11111 511111 111111111' 111111111111110T 111011115 '1111' 111111111111111; 511111 111111111111111 111011115, :1` 0111111111101' 1111' 511111 111111111' 111111101111111 111011115 111111 11111111.11A 111111111111. 11010 11'111 111111 1'01'01'50 001111111111111' 1111511111115 `1111' 1110 111111111', 11.1111 1111111111111); 111101111110 111011115 1111 11111 0:11'1'1111111 '1.01' 110111111111110' 1110 0111111111101' 111 11111' 1.11 511111 1111511111115.

y1. A 11101114111110111115 111110111110 :111 0101111011 111101111111', 11 01111-111110 11111110' 1110 101101111111'. 1111111111111, 111011115 1111 1110 0111'1'11111'0, 111111111' 111111101111111' 111011115 1'111' 1'00111- 111011111101110011.1'1'111110,111011115111'11'011 '1'1'11111511111 111111111' 111111101111111; 111011115 '1111' 1111001111111); 511111 0011111111111' 111011115. 11 0111111111101' 1.111' 511111 111111111' 111111101111111' 111011115' 111111 1111111111' 1111'11111'11. 11011- 11'111 :1111.1 1'01'01'50 011111111111110' 1111511111115 1111' 1110 111111111'.1101111111111' 11110111.1110 111011115 1111 1111' 13111'- 1'111110 1:11' 110111111111115 1110 0111111111101'. 111111 :111111- 1111111011111.'111101111110111011115110111510111111111111110n 1110111'11111111111111511110111111111111011111111111111110- 1110111 111 1110 011111111150 \\'1101'011 511111 0111110111101' '15 110111111011 111 1'01'01'50 1110 11'111'01 111' 1110 0111'- 1'111910.

5. A 11111111-1'11111111'11111 1111101111111 1.1111111015111111 1111 0101111011 111101111111', 11 0111'1'1110'0 111111'111110 111.0110' 1110 1111011111111', 1011111111111 111011115 1111 11111 1'111'1'1110'0. 1110101" 111'011011111g111011115 1111' 1'00111- 10011111111' 1110 01111-111110, 111011115 11111'01111'11111 511111 11111101' 111111101111111 111011115 for' 11110111111@ 511111 1111111111111,r 111011115, 11 controller for 511111 1110101' 1110110111111; 111011115 and having 11(1111111'11, neu- 11'111 111111 1'01'01'50 0011t1'011111g 1111511110115 for the 111111111', 1113111111111' 111100111110 111011115 1111 1.110 0111'- 1'111g0 1'111' :10111111111111 1110 0111110111101', 111111 1111110- 11111110111117 111101111110 111011115 1101111111011 by 0111111510- 1110111 11'1111 1111 011511110111111 11111110 1111111 of 1110110- 1110111 111' 1110 0111' '11111-0 0110101111 511111 controller 15 110111111011 111 1'01'01'50 1110 travel of the C211'- 1'11111'0 1111111111' 0111101' 111111'01110111 0f :1 recproca- 111111.

111', '11 111111111' 111011115 1111 1110 01111111110, :1 1'0- 101511110 111111101111111l 111011115 '11111' 1'001111'111'11111111 11100111111100111111111111011110110111',111011115111'11'011 11'11111 said 1110110111110; 111011115 for 111101111111111 511111 1111111111110; 111011115, 11 0111111111101' 11111' 511111 1100110111110; 111011115 01111511'1111'1011 111 11111111100 1'111'- 11'111'11, 1'10111'1'111 111111 1'01'01'50 01110015 11101'01111, 11111111111111' 111101111110 111011115 1111 111e 01111111110, 1111' 111-11111111111' 511111 0111111111101', 11 rocking 11101111101' 1111 11111 0111'1'11111'0. 111101'11111'011' 0111111001011 111 511111 0111111111101' 111111 11111'111f1 111111001111115, 111111 111011115 1111 1110 111101111111' 11.1111111011 10 110 011121111011 by 511.111 111111001111115 111 1101111110 1110 0111111111101'.

7. A 11101114111111111110' 111110111110 011111111151111; 1111 0101111011 111101111111', 11 0111'1'11111'11 111111'111110 111111111' 1110 11.1111111111', 1111111111111;r 111011115 1111 11111 011.1'1'111g0, 111111115 11111' 1111111111 1110 0111'1'11111'0, 111011115 111'11'011 1'1'11111 511111 1111111111 111011115 1'111' 1111011111110; 511111 1111111111111; 111011115, 11 0111111111101' '1111' 1'01'01'5111g 1110 111'11'1110; 111011115, 11 v51110111' 111001111111501 111111111011 111 110 1101111111011 11u1o11111111- 0111111 11,1' 11111911111011111111 11'1111 1111 1111511'1101111111 111 1111011110 1110 011111111111111', 511111 111011115 1110111111111; 11 511011151 1111111111111Y 1011111111,r 111 1111001110 11111 01111- 11'111101' 1111 1'01'01'50 5:1111 driving; 111011115, 11.1111 111011115 1111111111111' 1110101111111; 111101111111111 of 1110 0111111'1'111101' 111' 1110 511111111'.

8. A 11101114111111111110 111110111110 011111110151110, 1111 010111101111'111'1111'111',:11'111'1'1111101111 1110 11'11011'- 1111)', 1'1111111111111' 111011115 1111 11111 0111'1'11151'0, 111011115 1111' 100111111011111@ 1110 0111'1'111110 111111 01'1111111'15- 1111r 11` 1'01'01511110 111111111' 11111110 01101111510, 111011115 11011011 from 511111 111111111' 1111' 1111011111111;r .511111 1111111111111: 111011115, 11 0111111111101' 1111' 1110 111111111' 001151101101011 :1.1111 :11111111011 111 111'1111111'0 1111'11'111'11, 11011111'111 :11111 1'01'01'50 01110015 1111 1110 111111111' 111111 1110111111110'111111111111110 11101111101'11111'111111 11 `0:11'. 11. r110:11' 50111110111 011111100111110 1'1'11111 511111 1101113111111 1111111011111' 11110011.1110 111011115 1111 1110 '11.1'1'11110, 1111' 50111111110' 511111 110111' 50111110111 111 thereby 111101'1110 .511111 0111111111101'.

9. 11101111111111111110' 111110111110 001111101511111 1111 0101'111011 111101111111'. 11 1'111'1'1111101111 11110 11'11011- 11111'. 1111111111110' 111011115 1111 1110 0111'1'111g0, 111011115 '1'111' 1'001111'111'11111111' 1110 0111'1'111110 111111 01111111115- 11111' 11 1'01'01'511110 111111111' 1111 1110 0111'1'11111'0. 111011115 111'11'011 11'11111 511111 11101111' 11111' (1110111111111 511111 111111111111111 111011115, :1 011111111111111' for 1110 111111111' 011115111101011 111111 :101111111011 111 1110111100 111171111111, 1101111111 and 1'01'01'50 0110015 1111 the 1110101' 111111 1110111111111); 21 1111111111110, 11101111101 having a gen1', a gum* 50151110111; 011111100111110 '11111111 sind gen1',

Il tl and means on tlie trael-:way and tlie carriage coopcralile during' tlie movement ot tlie latH ter to swing said segment to actnate tlie conti'oller.

l0. A mold-rammimg machine. comprising an elevated trackvvay, a carria on the tract;- way, rammixig means on the carriage, means for reciprocatingr tlie carriage and comprising a reversilile motor on tlie earriae'e, means driven t'rom said motor for operating' Said ramming means, a controller 'or tlie motor constructed and adapted to lie moved to positions to prodnee torn'ard, neutral and reverse etllects on tlie motor and including a rotatalile memlier liavingr a gear, a near segment cooperalile vvitli said gijcar, and means on tilie.

traclin'aj.' and tlie carriage cooperalile di ng tlie movement oi.' tlie latter to swiner said seg ment to actuate tlie .'ontroller to neutral, reverse and neutral positionsI in sequence.

l1. A mold-ramming macliine comprising' an elevated trarlnvaf, a carriage on tlie trat-l:- \va v. ramming' means on tlie carriage, mean`4 for reciprocating` tlie carriage and compr f ingr a reversible motor on tlie carriage. n can driven from said motor for e,iei'z'.tin;3A said. ramming: means, a controller for tlie motor constructed and adapted to lie moved to positions to produce forward, neutral a ad reverse etl'eets on tlie motor and including a rotatalile meml'ier liavin; r a gear, a gear segnnent cooperalde vvitli said ge: r, means on tlie tracluvav and tlie carriage cooperalile during' tlie movement ot tlie latter to .sv-fine; said segment to actnate tlie canitroller, and reversing' mechanism operalile upon engagement of tlie carriage ivitli an olv-traction to actuate said controller to riefen-:e tlie movement ot said earriaee..

1Q. A mold-ramining machine comprising an elevated tracltxvajv., a carriage on tlie tracknav, ramminif means, on tlie carriage. means for reciprocaline` tlie carriage and comprisinev a reversible motor on tlie carriage, means driven trom said motor for operating said ralnn'iing means. a eontroller tor tlie motor constructed and adapted to lie mevr-:l to positions to produce forward, neutral and reverse ette/cts on tlie motor and. includine': rotatalile niemlier havingy a nca a gear see'ment eooperalile vvitli said gear, and means on tlie trarlnvay and tlie carriage f'oopei'alile dui'iij tlie movement otl tlle latter to swine' said sen'- ment to actuate tlie controller to move tlle saine to reverse position.

13. A molda'ammiinf maclrine coinpri,-'inf;v an elevated tracknav. a earriae'e on tlie tract:- wav. rammne' means on tlie earriae'e. means for reciprocating tlie carriage and comprising; a reversilile motor, means driven from said motor for operating said ramming means. a controller t'or the motor const ructed and adapted to lie moved to positions to produce forward. neutral and reverse eteets on the motor, means operable liv travel o' the 'arriafre to move said controller to neutral and reverse positions in sequence, and sa t'etuv m ans on the carriage movalile liv engagement with an obstruction to move said controller to reverse position.

14. A mold-rannninel macliine compre-dnt;l an ele va'tedt 'acltvvay, a carriage on tlie tracti- \vay, rammingr means on tlie carriagr, m fans for reciinoeating,r the carriage and compris-- ing' a reversilil.; motor, means driven trom said motor for operating; said ramming means, a controller for the motor constr icted and adapted to lie moved lo positions to pro` duce forward. neutral and reverse e'eets on tlie motor, means operable liv travel ol' tlie carriage to move said controller to neutral and reverse positions in sequence. and safety means on tlie carriage movaele liv engagement with an obstruction during,r eitlier direction ot` travel ot the carriage to actuate said controller to reverse tl'ie travel ot tlie car riaee.

15. A mold-rationing maeliine comprising an cle 'ated traclivav, a carriage movalile alone; tlie trackway, rammine' meansI on tlie 'arriagm pri/ipelline' means for reeiprtaatine' tlie 'arriage means driven from said propelliinf means t'or operating' said ramming means. a controller tor said propellingy means and liavine Jmward, neutral and reverse positions, `liutler means en t'ne carriage operalile liv engagement with an olistrnctiini to move tlie controller to reverse position, and means engagealile b v the controller on re urn morement ot the carriage t'or moving' l controlliit ler to neutral position to stop tlie carriage.

1G. A mold-rainmine' macliine comprising an elevated tracltvav. a carriage movalile elongr tlie traclnvav, rammingv means on tlic carriage. propelling' means ."or riafiproeatimi tlie carriage. means driven trom sain propelline' means tor operating' said ranuniney means. a controller for sa id propelling' m ans and liavinf tomvard, neutral and |'e'.'e1'se positions. laitier means on the carriage operable liv ena' rement willi an obstruction to move tlle controller to reverse position. and means entrae'ealfle liv tlie eont rolle on return move ment of tlle arriae'e for moving' tlie cont roller to neutral position to stop tlie .'arria;1' said lzif-tiianiml means ineludini a tappct memlier rigid on tlie return movement oty tlie carriage. lult Avieldalile ou tile Vt'olu'ard Inovement of tlie carriage.

1T. A mold-ramminn' macliine comprising' an elevated tracltxvav. a -arriage movalde aloner the traclnvav, ramminnj means on the -arria;'e. means tor ieiproeatin the carriage. means driven from said last mentioned means for operatingv said ramminff m ams. and means to reverse automatieall)v the t 'avel of tlie larriagfe duringV eitlier movement of a recipro 'ation.

18. A mold-ran'n'i'iingf maeuine comprising an elevated traeltvvay, a carriage movable tit) ta (i Utl llt)

along the trackway, ramming means on the carriage, a reversible motor for reciprocating the carriage, means driven from said motor for operating said ramming means, a controller for the motor, and means to operate the controller to reverse auton'iatically the travel of the carriage during either movement of a reciprocation.

19. A mold-ramming machine comprising an elevated trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway. ramlning means on the carriage, a reversible motor for reciprocating the carriage, means driven from said motor for operating said ramming means, a controller for the motor, and safety means adapted to be operated by engagement with an obstruction in the path of the carriage to operate said controller to reverse the travel of the carriage during either movement of a reciprocation.

20. A mold-ramming machine comprising an elevated trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway, ramming means on the larriage, means for driving the carriage, means driven from said last mentioned means for operating said ramming means, a controller for the driving means, a safety mechanism adapted to be operated by engagement with an obstruction to operate the controller to reverse said driving means, `said means including a spring normally tending to operate the controller, and a snap action normally preventing operation of the controller by the spring.

21. A mold-ramming machine comprising an elevated trackway, a carriage movable along the traekvvay, ranuning means on the carriage, means for driving the carriage, means driven from said last mentioned means for operating said rannning means, a controller for said driving means, a safety mechanism adapted to be operated by engagement with an obstruction to operate the controller to reverse said driving means, said safety mechanism including a spring normally tending to operate said mechanism to actuate the controller, a snap action normally holding said mechanism against operation, and means actuated by engagement with an obstruction to release said snap action.

Q2. A mold-rannning machine comprising an elevated trackway, a carriage movable along the trackwav, ramming means on the carriage. means for driving the carriage, means driven from said last i'nentioned means for operating said ramming means, a controller for said driving means, a safety mechanism adapted to be operated by engagement with an obstruction to actuate the controller to reverse said driving moans, said safety mechanism including a spring normally tending to actuate the controller, jointed levers adapted to take a position to hold the said spring against operation of the controller, a buffer adapted to be engaged by an obstruction, and a connection between the buffer and said levers whereby the latter are moved to a position to release the spring when the buffer is engaged by an obstruction.

23. A mold-ramming machine comprising an elevated traclnvay, a carriage movable along the traclnvay, ramming means on the carriage, means for driving the carriage, means driven from said last mentioned means for operating said ramming means, a controller for said driving means, a manually operable shaft on the carriage, and means Yfor connecting said. shaft and the controller whereby the latter may be manually operated.

24. A mold-ramming machine comprising an elevated trackway, a carriage movable along the traclvay, ramming means on the carriage, means for driving thc carriage, means driven from said last mentioned means for operating said ramming means, a controller for said driving means, a manually operable shaft on they carriage, means for connecting the shaft and the controller whereby the latter may be operated. a spring normally tending to move said shaft to operate the controller, a snap action restraining said spring, and a laitier-element on the carriage for operating the snap action to release the spring.

25. A moldamming machine comprising an elevated tracliway, a carriage movable along the tracliway, ralnming means on the carriage, means for driving the carriage, means driven from said last mentioned means for operating said ramming means, a controller for said drivingmeans, a manually ope able shaft on the carriage, means for connecting the shaft and the controller whereby the latter may be operated, a spring nornmlly tending to move said shaft to operate the controller, a snap action restraining said spring, a buffer-clement on the carriage for operating the snap action to release the spring, and means whereby said shaft is independently operable manually or by said spring.

Q6. A mold-ramming machine compris-ing a carriage adapted to travel across a mold, means for propelling the carriage, ramming means on the carriage, means driven from said propelling means for operating said ramming means, guard-members yieldingly supported at the sides of the carriage. and supplemental guard-members supported by said first-named guard-menibers.

27. A mold-ramming machine comprising a carriage adapted to travel across a mold, means for propelling the carriage, rammingr means on the carriage, moans driven from said propelling means for operating said rannning means, guard-members yieldingly supported at the sides of the carriage, brackets on the inner faces of said guard-members, and supplemental guard-menibers supported by said brackets.

28. A mold-ramming machine comprising ltlt) l tifi llt) lll

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a carriage adapted to travel across a mold, means for propelling the carriage, a plurality of ramming l'eet on the carriage and arranged transversely thereof, and a sand-levelling' and distributing member arranged in rear of each of said feet, each of said members comprising' plates inclined outwardly and rmirwardly relative to one direction ol travel ot' the carriage.

29. A mol l-rammilrer machine comprisingl an elevated traekw y, a carriage movable along' the trackway and adapted to travel across a mold, a crank shal't arranged transversely o'lf the carriage and havingY a plurality of cranks, connecting: members suspendial from the cranks and supporting' ramming feet, and means whereby said connecting members are adjustable transversely ot the carriage.

30. A mold-ramming' machine comprising;- an elevated trarkwav, a carriage movable along the trackway and adapted to travel across a mold, a crank sha ft arranged transversely of the carriage and having' a pluraln it v ol. cranks, connect incr members suspendel from the cranks and supporting rationing' feet, and means whereby said connecting` members are adjustable transversely olf the carriage, said means comprising; spacing' col-- lars for locating' the connectingy member on the crank lengthwise oit the latter.

3 A mold-rationing machine comprisinjr an elevated trackway, a carriage reeiprocablc along the trackway, means l'or reciprm'atin; the carriage, a plurality of ramming elements arranged in line transversely oi" the carriage, a sand-distributingr membe arranged in advance ot' the rammers to distribute the sand on one movement ot a reciprocation, and levelling' means located in rear ol the rammers to level and distribute the rammed sand on the same movement ot reciprocation.

32. A moltl-ramming; machine comprisingr a carriage adapted to reciprocate across a mold. means for reciprocating' the carriage, a plurality ot rannninev l'eet on the carriage and arranged ta'ansversely thereof. santl-levelling,l means in advance otl the rammingj feet on one movement of reciprocation. and sand-levelliner and distributing members in rear ot' said rarnmingl` feet relative to said one movement ot reciprocation and oileratin; to level and distribute the rammed sand whereby to present subst antially level sand to the rammers on the other movement o'tl reciprocation el the carriage.

$53. A, moldsramnun;v machine comprising;

an elevated trackway, a -arriare movable along the trackvay, rannning means on the carriage, propelling means for reciprocating the carriage, means driven from said propelline; means for operating said rammingr means, a controller for said propelling' means and having forward, neutral and reverso positions, manual means tor moving the controller to forward position to cause the propelling means to drive tbe carriage lfor 'ard, means on the tracfkvvau.'v to move the controller to reverse position to cause the propelling means to drive the carriage rearward, and means on the traekway near the end ol said rearward travel to move the controller to neutral to stop the proi'ielling' means lor thc carriage.

8f'. A mold-raminin.;r machine comprisinl an elevated trackway, a czoriage movable along the trackway, ramming means on the carriage, propelling;l means tor reciprocating the carriage, means driven from said propellinfa;l means for operating;` said rannning means, a controller for said propelling means and having' torward, neutral and reverse positions, manual means t'or movimcr the controller to tiorward position to cause the propelling means to drive the farriage forward, means on the trackway to move the controller to neutral position, means on the trackway acting' atter the controller has been moved to neutral position to move the controller torcverse position to cause the propelling means to drive the carriage rearward, and means on the trackway near the end olf said rearward travel to move the controller to neutral to stop the propelling means t'or the carriage.

35. A mold-ranlining;` machine comprising an elevated trackway, a carriagey movable along the trackway, ramming means on the carriage, propelling means tor reciprocating' the carriage, means driven Yl'rom said propelling' means tor operatilmr said ramminpr m Vians, a controller l'or said propelling' means and having l'orward, neutral and reverse positions, manual means t'or moving the controller to forward position to cause the propelling' means to drive the carriage forward, means on the traekway to move the controller to reverse position to causethe propelling means to drive the carriage rea rward` means on the traekway near the end ol said rearward travel to move the controller to neutral to stop the propelling' means for the carriage, and safety bull'er means on the carriage and operable at any point in t'orward travel of the, carriage to move the controller to reverse position to reverse travel of the carriage.

lin witness whereof, l have hereunto subscribed rny name.

SIIERWOOD C. BLISS.

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